PAW. 

SEAM- 


TWO 


SERMONS, 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE 

NEW-YORK  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY ; 

The  Firft  on  April  23d,  in  the 
SCOTS  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

By  the  Rev.  Dr.  LIVINGSTON. 

The  Second  on  April  24th,  in  the 

NORTH  DUTCH  CHURCH, 

‘ ^ , f , 1 > 

By  the  Rev.  Dr.  M‘KNIGHT. 

TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED, 

A CHARGE  given  to  the  FIRST  MISSIONARY, 
Br  the  Rev.  Dr.  RODGERS; 

TOGETHER  WITH  THE 

• INSTRUCTIONS  to  MISSIONARIES, 

AND  THE 

REPORT  OF  THE  DIRECTORS. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  ISAAC  COLLINS, 
No.  189,  Pearl-street. 

1799- 


At  a meeting  of  the  New-York  Missionary 
Society,  April  2 6,  1799, 

. 1 u " . ? . v 

Resolved  unanimously, 

THAT  the  thanks  of  the  Society  be 

; • : i 

given  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston  and  Dr. 
M'Knicht,  for  the  Sermons  delivered  by 
them  refpe&ively  on  the  evenings  of  the  23d 
and  24th  inft.  agreeably  to  appointment;  and 
that  they  be  requefted  to  fumilh  copies  of  the 
fame  for  publication. 

ExtraEl  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Society, 

SAMUEL  MILLER,  Clerk. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


A 

SERMON, 

PREACHED  BEFORE  THE 

» j 

NEW- YORK  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 

IN  THE 

SCOTS  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

23d  of  April,  1799, 

By  JOHN  H.  LIVINGSTON,  D.  D.  S.  T.  P. 

One  of  tho  Ministers  of  the  Reformed  Dutch 
Church  of  the  City  of  New-York. 


— Christ  is  all  and  in  all. 

CoLOSSIANS  III.  11. 

THE  Obligation  to  love  and  obey  God 
which  arifes  from  the  perpetual  depend- 
ence of  men,  as  intelligent  creatures , upon  God, 
confidered  as  their  Creator,  is  the  religion 
of  nature.  The  relation  formed  by  this  de- 
pendence obliges  them  to  be  devoted  to  the 
fervice  and  glory  of  him  who  made,  preferves 
and  governs  them.  In  this  religion  God  the 
Creator  is  all  and  in  all. 

A 2 


Revealed 


4 THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


Revealed  religion  is  that  obligation  to  love 
and  obey  God,  which  refults  from  the  total 
dependence  of  men,  as  Jinners,  upon  God 
confidered  as  their  Redeemer.  The  rela- 
tion produced  by  this  dependence  obliges  them 
to  be  devoted  to  the  fervice  and  glory  of  him 
v/ho  has  atoned  for  their  fins,  and  is  become 
the  Lord  -their  Righteoufncfs.  In  this- -reli- 
gion God  the  Redeemer  is  all  and  in  all. 

The  Apollle  adopts  this  very  principle,  and 
confirms  it  in  the  text  by  terms  the  moll  com- 
prehenfive  and  unequivocal. — “ There  is  nei- 
ther Greek  nor  Jew,  circumcifion  nor  ur.cir- 
cumcifion,  barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  nor  free  : 
but  Christ  is  all  and  in  all," 

Believers  are  rifen  with  Christ.  They  are 
therefore  to  place  their  afFedions  upon  things 
above — to  mortify  their  members  which  are 
upon  earth — to  put  off  the  old  man — and  put 
on  the  new. — From  thefe  duties,  no  exemption 
an  be  pleaded ; for  the  omiflion  of  them,  po 
excufe  admitted-  The  learned  and  the  igno- 
rant, the  civilized  and  the  favage,  the  Greek 
and  the  few,  all  who  believe,  without  diflinc- 
tiou  of  nation,  name  or  condition,  are  brought 
into  the  fame  relation  to  God,  renewed  into 
the  fame  image,  and  bound  to  univerfal  obedi- 
ence and  holinefs  by  the  fame  principle — -for 
Christ  is  all  and  ip  all. 


The 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  $ 

The  phrafe  exprefles  in  a fummary  manner 
every  thing  that  can  be  predicated  of  the  fub- 
je£L  It  is  applied  in  the  paflage  before  us 
and  in  Ephef.  i.  23,  to  the  divine  Redeemer, 
and  in  1 Cor.  xv.  28,  to  God  in  the  moll 
extenlivc  view,  comprehending  every  relation 
he  (uftain6  to  his  intelligent  creatures.  1 

. ! i'  Vt/.  .1 JA  £1  1 ') 

Christ  is  all,  he  is  every  thing  cflential  in 
the  falvatidn  bf  linners ; he  is  this  to  all  and  in 
ell,  the  happy  objefts  of  his  loVc.  There  are 
no  loeal  or  perfonal  diferiminations. ' No  rxclu- 
five  privileges  or  monopoly  of  benefits.  “ Nei- 
ther is  there  falvation  in  any  other : for  there  is 
none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men,  whereby  we  mull  be  laved.”  He  is  the 
fame  Lord,  and  his  power  and  grace  the  fame 

for  all,  and  to  all  who  call  upon  him. 

. ]>  „ ..  . ...... 

The  fulnefs  of  the  Redeemer  is  frequently 
inculcated,  in  fimilar  comprehenfive  fentences. 
David  fays  of  him,  “ all  my  fprings  arc  in 
thee”* — “ the  Lord  is  my  rock,  and  my 
fortrefs,  and  my  deliverer,  my  God,  my 
ftrength’t — “ the  Lord  is  my  light  and  my 
falvation — the  Lord  is  the  {trength  of  my 
life.”*  Paul  calls  him  “ the  captain  of  falva- 
tion”^ — “ the  author  and  finiflier  of  our  faith.”j| 

And 

* Pfd.  lxxxvii.  7.  f Pfal.  xviii.  2.  f Pfal.  xxvii.  J. 

$ Hsb.  ii.  to.  fl  Heb.  xii.  2. 


£ TTHE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.’ 

And  thc:bleffe4  Saviour  declares  concerning 
limfelf,  I am  Alpha  and  Omega — the  begin- 
ning jpid  the  ending. — the  firft  and  the  laft.'’5 
Thefe,  and  innumerable  paffages  which  afcribe 
£0)ffrirn  the  glory  of  pardon  and  peace,  of  pre- 
sent comfort  and  future  happinefs,  are  fum- 
med  up  in  the  emphatical  words  of  the  text, 
Christ  is  all  and  in  all. 

• ’ ' 1 •_ 

Christ  is  an  official  name.  It  refpe&s  the 
exalted  offices  the  Redeemer  fuftained,  and 
the  vaft  work,  which  as  God  and  man  in  one 
perfon  he  accomplifhed. 

. • nlj 

He  mull  be  man,  a perfe£t  man,  that  the 
law  may  be  obeyed  and  fatisfied,  in  the  fame 
nature  which  had  finned.  He  mull  be  God, 
the  true  God,  becaufe  no  mere  creature  pof- 
feffes  a right  to  lay  down  his  life  and  affign  his 
merits  to  othersrr-becaufe,  it  requires  infinite 
wifdom,  love  and  power,  to  procure  for  and  ap- 
ply, falvation  to  the  guilty  and  depraved and 

becaufe,  redemption  conftitutes  a new  claim  to 
an  exclufive  property  in,  and  dominion  over 
the  redeemed.  But  the  Lord  wrill  not  give 
his.  glory  or  alienate  his  claim  to  another.  “ I 
looked,”  faith  he,  “ and  there  was  none  to 
help — therefore  mine  own  arm  brought  lalva- 
tion.”* — “ I,  even  I am  the  Lord,  and  befidcs 

me 


Rev.  i.  8,  17. 


* Ifai.  Ixiii.  5. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  7 

me  there  is  no  Saviour.”+ — “ A' juft  God  ana 
a Sftviour,  there  is  none  befidcs  me."£ 

naqo  rfii/r  gii!**'  J «-f  L 1 .*.•  t • :ii  t **»•»«•* 

So’  much  of  the  myfterious  manner  of  the 
divine  exiftence  is  revealed;  fo  much  of  God 
the  Father,  of  God  the  Son,  and  of  God  the 
Holy  Ghoft,  the  one,  the  only  living  and  true 
God,  as  fuffices,  not  to  gratify  unfan&ified 
curiofity,  but  to  inform  believers  in  what 


In  confequence  of  the  union  between  the 
divine  nature  of1  the  Son  of  God  and  the  hu- 
man nature  which  he  aflumed,  his  whole  per- 
fon  as  God  manifefted  in  the  flefh,  is  de- 
fignated  by  the  name  of  Christj  The 
Apoftle  therefore,  in  the  words  before  us, 
adopts  and  confirms  the  principle,  that  in 
revealed  religion,  God  the  Redeemer  is  all 
and  in  all. 

No  fubjeft  can  be  more  acceptable  to  thofe 
who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  None 
more  feafonable  when  adverfaries  openly  blaf- 
pherne  that  iacred  name.  And  none  more 
fuitablc  to  the  chara£ler  in  which  we  now  ap- 
pear in  his  houfe  and  the  work  in  which  we 
profefs  to  be  engaged. — Father  of  lights,  fource 
of  every  good  and  every  perfeft  gift,  remove 

the 


flfai.  xliii.  11.  f lfai.  xlv.  21. 


8 THE  GLORY -OF  THE  REDEEMER. 

the  covering  which,  iiides  thy  glories  from  our 
view.  Increafe  and  ftrengthen  our  faith  to 
enter  within  the  vail,  that  beholding  with  open 
face,  we  may  be  changed  into  the  fame  image, 
from  glory  to  glory  { . 

. cd:  n f, 0 lo  r fu*  .•••'»£  1 v J 'to  e» 

Christ  is  all  and  in  all.  Every  thing 
great,  interefting  and  neceflary  in  falvation  is 
juftly  predicated  of  him. — Of  a proportion  fo 
general,  which  comprehends  the  whole  fyftem, 
Ipreads  over  all  the  dodrines,  and  blends  with 
every  article  of  our  creed,  the  details  cannot 
poffrbly  be  confidered  in  the  prefent  hour.  As 
g fummary  of  firft  principles,  it  mull  fuffice  to 
fhew,  that  Christ  is  all  and  in  all, — in  the 
f acred  feriptures — in  the  religion  of  finners — » 
and  in  providence. 

r t . r 

: : rzi:  : ' r • l£> 

I.  In  the  facred  feriptures  Christ  is  all 
and  in  all. 

The  Scriptures  teflify  of  Christ — in  the 
law  of  Modes,  in  the  Prophets,  and  in  the 
Pfalms,  it  is  written  concerning  him,  that  he 
was  to  come,  to  fuffer,  and  to  rife  from  the 
dead,  and  that  repentance  and  remiffion  of  fins 
fhould  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  na- 
tions.— In  the  Gofpels  and  Epiftles  the  ac- 
complifhmcnt  of  thefe  predidions  is  recorded, 
and  the  dodrines  of  Iris  grace  explained  and 
confirmed. — The  Ads  of  the  Apoflles  exhibit 

him 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  9 


him  in  his  majefty  riding  profperoufly,  fending 
the  rod  of  his  ftrcngth  out  of  Zion,  and  ruling 
in  the  midll  of  his  enemies. — The  lafl  book  of 
the  faored  canon  is  tire  Revelation  of  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Lord,  which  is,  and  which  was, 
and  which  is  to  come,  the  Almichty.  It 
foretels  the  profperous  and  advcrfe  date  of  his 
Church,  the  rife  and  deftrudtion  of  his  ene- 
mies, and  his  complete  and  the  final  triumph. 
The  volume  opens  with  the  promife  of  his  firft 
appearance.  It  clofes  with  an  aflurance  of  his 
fecond  coming.  The  Scriptures  are  full  of 
Christ. — Look  at  every  part  of  the  Sacred 
Word. 

The  Historical  pajjaga  even  of  the  Old 
Teftament,  refer  to  Him.  The  hiftory  of 
creation — the  fall  of  man — the  univerfal  deluge 
— the  call  of  Abraham — and  the  lives  of  the 
patriarchs.  The  feries  of  events  which  refpeft 
that  people,  of  whom  as  concerning  the  flelh 
Christ  came,  and  the  mention  of  other  na- 
tions with  whofe  fate  that  people  was  in  fome 
meafure  connected,  all  point  to  the  fame  ob- 
je6t.  They  are  all  introduced,  to  demonftrate 
the  neceflity  of  a Saviour,  and  difeover  the 
marvellous  Heps  by  which  providence  gradu- 
ally prepared  for  the  coming  of  Messiah. 

The  Promises  are  all  in  Christ,  yea, 
and  in  him  amen.  In  him  they  unite,  for  his 
B fake 


io  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


fake  they  were  made,  and  through  him  they 
become  valid  and  fure.  What  refpe&s  him- 
felf  is  the  principal  promife.  The  repetition, 
explanation  and  confirmation  of  this,  engrofs 
the  chief  attention  of  the  facred  writers,  and 
run,  as  golden  threads,  through  every  leaf  of 
the  infpired  volume. 

The  Worship  under  the  law  was  defign- 
ed  to  direct  believers  to  the  Messiah. — The 
municipal  inftitutes  of  a nation  in  which  the 
Church  and  State  were  united,  mull  of  neceflity 
be  comprifed  in  the  fame  code  with  the  ecclefi- 
aftical,  and  ultimately  refer  to  the  fame  object. 
For  his  fake  the  theocracy  was  formed.  To 
fecure  the  fulfilment  of  the  promifes  refpetting 
him,  that  people  were  feparated  and  dwelt 
alone  until  Shiloh  came.  The  moral  law  was 
efpecially  magnified  by  his  a&ive  and  paffive 
obedience,  and  proved  to  be  holy,  juft  and 
good.  In  the  whole,  lie  is  intended.  To 
him  it  is  calculated  to  lead  loft  finners.  Christ 
is  the  end  of  the  law.* 

The  devotional  paftages  of  Scripture  all 
look  to  Him  by  whom  alone  finners  find  accefs 
to  the  Throne.  It  was  faith  in  him  as  yet  to 
come,  which  infpired  the  fong  of  the  Old  Tef- 
tament  Saints,  and  tuned  their  harps  to  praife. 
It  is  faith  in  him  who  has  come  and  wafhed  us 

from 


* Gal.  iii.  24. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER,  n 


from  our  fins  in  his  own  blood,  that  now  raifcs 
the  voice  of  rejoicing  and  falvation  in  the  ta-  ' 
bernacles  of  the  righteous. 

The  Doctrines  in  Scripture,  like  fo  many 
bright  lines  within  the  lame  circle,  unite  in 
one  glorious  point.  It  is  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ  that  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the 
glory  of  God  fhines  moft  illultrioully.  Banilh 
Christ  from  the  do&rines,  and  a fyfteni  lu- 
minous, connetted  and  fnnple,  becomes  dark, 
perplexed  and  broken. 

There  are  detached  fa£h,  individual  doc- 
trines, moral  precepts,  which,  in  themfclves, 
are  excellent,  and  independently  on  Christ 
or  his  glorious  gofpel,  cannot  fail  of  claiming 
approbation  and  applaufe. — But  it  will  be 
found,  when  viewed  in  their  connexion,  that 
thefe  fafts  are  all  combined  with  others  which 
have  an  immediate  refpect  to  the  Saviour — 
that  thefe  doctrines  either  appertain  to  the  re- 
ligion of  nature  and  are  adopted  of  courfe  into 
the  ChriRian  fyftem,  or  they  form  a part  cf 
other  dottrines  which  dire&iy  relate  to  Christ. 
And  that  thefe  moral  precepts  are  calculated 
to  convince  of  guilt  and  direct  fijiners  to  feek 
an  interefl  in  his  atonement ; or  they  preferibe 
a rule  of  life,  by  which  his  people  are  to  ex- 
prefs  their  gratitude  for  faving  mercies. — They 
are  all,  it  is  confelfed,  excellent  in  themfclves ; 

B » but 


i2  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


but  their  higheft  excellence,  their  extenfive 
and  true  meaning,  can  be  difcerned  alone,  by 
obferving  the  exprefs  relation  they  bear  to  the 
divine  Redeemer. 

There  are  in  the  Scriptures,  “ fome  things 
hard  to  be  underllood,  which  they  that  are  un- 
learned and  unftable  wreft  unto  their  own  de- 
ftruction.’'  (2  Pet.  iii.  16.) — The  prophecies, 
antecedent  to  their  accomplifhment,  mull  of 
neceflity  be,  in  a great  meafure,  obfcurc. — ■ 
The  do6trine3  which  rcfpe£t  the  Holy  Tri- 
nity— the  Word  made  flcfh — the  operation  of 
the  Spirit — the  fovereignty  of  Gon,  and  a 
total  dependence  upon  him,  are  too  fublime 
and  myfterious  to  be  fully  comprehended  by 
finite  minds.  And  what  relates  to  the  depra- 
vity of  human  nature,  with  the  infeparable 
confcqucnces  of  guilt  and  fin,  are  dire&ly  op- 
poled  to  the  pride  and  prejudices  of  men. 
Tfacle  are  fo  many  fources  of  difficulty.  Thefe 
render  fome  things  hard  to  be  underllood,  and 
Hill  harder  to  be  cordially  embraced.  Yet, 
thefe  notwithllanding,  all  who  are  taught  of 
God  difeover  a perfpicuity  luflicient  to  render 
them  wife  unto  falvation,  and  they  delight  to 
meditate  upon  the  word.  None  cavil  but  the 
ignorant  and  profane.  None  but  they  com- 
plain, that  clouds  and  darknefs  reft  upon  the 
Scriptures. — Whatever  it  may  be  in  regard  to 
other  matters,  it  is  certainly  beyond  contra- 

diefiart 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  13 

diflion  that  in  Christ  the  hiftory  ot  the 
Bible  terminates — he  is  the  fum  of  the  pro- 
mifes — the  end  of  the  law — the  fpirit  of  the 
devotion,  and  the  principal  obje&  to  which 
the  whole  is  uniformly  diredted.  He  was 
meant  in  the  types,  fhadowed  forth  in  the 
rites,  and  exprefsly  intended  in  all  the  facri- 
fices.  He  is  the  fum,  the  fcopc  of  the  Old 
and  of  the  New  Teftament.  In  the  Sacred 
Scriptures  Christ  is  all  and  in  all. 

The  man,  therefore,  who  reads  the  Bible 
without  finding  the  Saviour  there,  is  blind. 
And  the  mini  Her  of  the  gofpel  who,  to  avoid 
offence,  or  recommend  himfclf  to  the  wicked, 
conceals  the  exalted  Redeemer,  is  a mad- 
man ; cfpecially  as, 

II.  Christ  is  all  and  in  all  in  the  religion 
of  finners. 

That  religion  which  removes  the  fatal  con- 
fcquences  of  fin — permits  the  guiity  and  de- 
praved to  worlhip  in  an  acceptable  manner — 
reflores  to  the  favour  and  communion  of  God 
— adminifters  confolation,  and  produces  in 
the  iffue,  perfection  and  happinefs,  that,  and 
that  alone,  can  be  denominated  the  religion  of 
finners.  Every  thing  fhort  of  this  muff  be 
inadequate  to  their  exigencies,  muft  be  infuf- 
ficient  for  their  falvation. 


The 


14  THE  glory  of  the  redeemer. 


The  religion  of  nature  is  far  from  anfwering 
thefc  exalted  purpofes. — From  the  definitions 
with  which  this  difcourfe  was  introduced,  and 
fome  obfervations  that  have  tranfiently  occur- 
red, you  may  perhaps  already  anticipate  what 
appertains  to  this  part  of  the  fubie£t.  It  is 
however  of  too  great  importance  to  be  flightly 
treated.  It  draws  a line  of  diflinftion,  with 
which  many  are  evidently  unacquainted.  And 
it  luggefts  a principle,  of  all  others  the  moll 
effential,  in  refuting  the  falfc  philofophy  of 
infidelity. 

No  obligation,  and  confequently  no  reli- 
gion, can  exifl  without  fome  relation  to 
conllitute  a bafis  or  foundation  upon  which  it 
rcfls.  The  foundation  of  the  religion  of  nature 
is  the  relation  which  arifes  from  the  depend- 
ence of  men  confidered  as  intelligent  creatures, 
upon  God  as  their  Creator.  This  relation 
will  not  fuflice  for  finners. 

The  religion  of  nature  is  universal  and  un- 
changeable. It  preferibes  perfect  and  perpe- 
tual obedience,  as  its  only  polliblc  condition  ; 
and  it  enfures  happinel's  as  long  as  a perfe- 
verauce  in  fucli  obedience  is  uninterruptedly 
maintained.  But  it  contemplates  no  deviation 
from  the  divine  law.  It  knows  ot  no  rrmedv 
for  tranfgrdlors.  A (inner  is  a monllcr  un- 
known and  unacknowledged  in  the  religion  of 

nature. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  15 

nature.  A Saviour  is  a gitt  in  finitely,  beyond 
its  province  or  prerogative. 

Sin  conftitutes  a new  chara&er.  It  pro- 
duces ell'ential  embarralfinents.  It  requires 
help  which  nothing  in  the  relation  between 
creatures  and  their  Creator,  as  fiich,  can 
fuggeft  or  fupply.  The  new  character  renders 
a ?iczu  relation  rieccflary.  There  mull  be  a 
Redeemer,  Or  the  evils  produced  by  fin  can 
never  be  removed.  He  alone  who  made  them 
can  redeem  them,  form  the  relation,  and  bring 
them  into  it. 

The  religion  of  nature  is  neceflarily  and  for- 
ever binding  upon  all  men  as  intelligent  be- 
ings. The  original  obligation  can  never  ceafe 
or  abate.  Nothing  can  infringe,  nothing  can 
deftroy  it.  The  religion  of  nature,  in  this  re- 
lpecf,  is  as  much  the  religion  of  men,  after  they 
become  finners,  as  it  would  have  been  had 
they  continued  holy  and  perfeft ; and  yet  by 
not  providing  happinefs,  is  eflentially  deficient 
in  a moll  important  article. — If  it  obliges  the 
firmer  to  obedience,  while  it  condemns,  and 
leaves  him  to  all  the  direful  confequences  of 
his  tranfgreflion — if  the  relation  upon  which  it 
is  founded  does  not  reach  the  new  charafter — 
if  the  only  condition  it  prescribes,  of  do  this  and 
live,  cannot  poffibly  be  complied  with,  and 
if  the  principle  that  invefligates  this  obligation, 

4.  1.  O O’ 

is 


iC  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


is  not  competent  to  the  difcovery  of  any  other, 
that  will  obviate  the  complicated  miferics  pro- 
duced by  fin,  then  the  religion  of  nature  can- 
not fave;  then  it  is  not,  and  cannot  be,  the 
religion  that  will  fuffice  for  Tinners. 

Two  obligations,  each  demanding  the  whole 
heart,  arifing  from  two  diftinft  relations,  would 
interfere  and  prove  inconfiftent,  were  they  due 
to  diltin£l  Beings.  No  man  can  ferve  two 
mailers.' — But  if  both  relations  originate  from 
the  fame  fource,  and  terminate  in  the  fame  ob- 
ject; if  he  who  is  the  Creator,  be  alfo  the 
Redeemer,  no  different  interefts,  no  clalhing 
of  authority,  no  inconliltency  can  arife  from 
the  additional  obligation.  The  duties  may 
lweetly  blend,  and  one  harmonious,  rational 
and  divine  fervice  be  the  bleffed  refult. 

All  thefe  defeats  are  compcnfated,  all  thefe 
important  ends  obtained  in  revealed  religion. 
This  fully  recognizes  and  cordially  embraces,  as 
of  neceffity  it  ought,  the  religion  of  nature.  But 
it  does  much  more.  It  meets  the  new  charac- 
ter. It  reveals  a new  relation.  It  opens  a new 
accefs  to  God  and  happinefs.  And  in  this, 
its  effential  peculiarity  confills. 

Revealed  religion  confiders  men  as  finners, 
and  exprefsly  treats  with  them  as  fuch.  Christ 
came  to  call  riot  the  righteous,  but  Turners  to 

repentance. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  17 


repentance.  The  whole  need  not  a phyfician, 
but  the  lick.  This  is  the  religion  which  pro- 
fefledly  provides  a remedy  again  ft  fin.  l'he 
only  religion  that  informs  finners  what  they 
muft  do  to  be  faved.  That  procures  accept- 
ance for  their  perlons  and  fervices — affords 
comfort  in  affli&ion — affuages  the  pangs  of  an 
accufing  confcience^promotes  holinefs  in  heart 
and  life — and  opens  a profpeft  of  eternal  reft 
and  glory.  This  therefore,  with  propriety,  may 

be  called  the  religion  of  sinners. 

# 

Now,  in  this  religion  Christ  is  all  and  in 
all.  With  refpeft  to  the  foundation  upon  which 
it  is  built — the  benefits  derived  from  it — and 
the  duties  to  which  it  binds. 

What  is  the  language  of  the  Prophets  in 
regard  to  the  Foundation  of  that  religion 
which  can  fave  finners  ? Of  what  importance 
do  they  confider  Christ  the  divine  Redeem- 
er ? — Hear  them ££  the  Stone  which  the 

Builders  refufed  is  become  the  head  (tone  of 
the  corner.”* — ££  A foundation,  a ftone,  a tried 
ftone,  a precious  corner  ftone,  a furc  founda- 
tion.”t  £S  I have  redeemed  thee — I am  the 
Lord  thy  God — thy  Saviour — your  Re- 
deemer.”!— ££  Behold  the  man  whofe  name  is 
the  branch — he  fhall  build  the  temple  of  tfie 
C Lord, 

* Phi.  cxviii.  22.  f Ifai.  xxvii.  16. 

$ Ifai.  xJiii.  f , 3,  14. 


18  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


Lord,  even  he  {hall  build  the  temple  of  the 
Lord,  and  he  {hall  bear  the  glory."* — “ The 
man  that  is  my  fellow. ”t  “ His  name  {hall 
be  called  Wonderful,  Counfcllor,  the  Mighty 
God,  the  Everlafting  Father,  the  Prince  of 
Peace. “ They  {hall  call  his  name  Em- 
manuel, which  being  interpreted  is,  God  with 
us.”§ 

How  do  the  Apoflles  fpeak  upon  this  fub- 
je£t  ? Who  do  they  declare  to  be  all  and  in 
all  in  the  religion  of  Tinners  ? — “ The  Word 
was  made  flefh  and  dwelt  among  us,  and  we 
beheld  his  glory,  the  glory  as  the  only  begot- 
ten of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth. "Jj 
“ Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that 
is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ. "II  Jesus 
Christ  himfelf  being  the  chief  comer  ftone, 
in  whom  all  the  building  fitly  framed  together, 
groweth  unto  an  holy  Temple  in  the  Lord. 
t;  The  fulnefs  of  him  that  fillcth  all  and  in 
all."**  “ In  him  ye  are  complete. "ft  “ Re- 
deemed with  the  precious  blood  of  C h r i st.”££ 
“ Christ  is  our  life."§§ 

What  is  the  teflimony  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  refpc&ing  himfelf? — “ As  the  Father 

hath 

* Zach.  vi.  12,  13.  f Zach.  xiii.  7.  % Ifai.  ix.  6. 

§ Ifai.  vii.  14.  Man.  i.  23.  ||  John  i.  14,  id. 

«U  1 Cor.  iii.  II.  **  Ephef.  ii.  20,  21. 

| j Eph.  i.  23.  H 1 Pet.  i.  1 8,  19.  §§  Colof.  iii.  4. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  19 

hath  life  in  himfelf;  fo  hath  he  given  to  the 
Son  to  have  life  in  himfelf."*  “ I and  my  Fa- 
ther are  onc.”t  “ I lay  down  my  life  for  the 
fheep."!  “ I am  the  way,  and  the  truth,  and 
the  life : no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father,  but 
by  me."§  “ I am  the  refurreftion  and  the 

life.”U — Can  any  believe  the  Sacred  Scriptures, 
can  they  affix  a confiftent  meaning  to  thefe 
paflages,  and  hefitate  a moment  in  determining 
the  charafter  of  the  Saviour — what  relation  he 
bears  to  the  redeemed — and  of  what  impor- 
tance he  is  to  Tinners  ? 

The  Bi  n ef its  of  the  everiafting  covenant 
are  all  ratified  in  him,  and  bellowed  for  his 
fake. 

The  new  heart  is  his  gift.  The  new  birth  is 
produced  by  his  fpirit,  and  effectual  calling  ac- 
complifhed  by  his  grace.  He  makes  his  peo- 
ple willing  in  a day  of  his  power,  and  he  alone 
gives  reft  to  the  weary  and  heavy  laden. 

Pardon  and  peace  are  the  fruits  of  his  pur- 
chafe.  It  is  in  the  beloved  alone  the  unwor- 
thy are  accepted.  By  faith  they  are  juftified 
as  they  receive  Chicist  and  become  united  to 
him  thereby ; not  for  faith  or  any  merit  in  be- 
lieving. The  righteoufnefs  of  the  Redeemer 
C 2 imputed 

* John  v.  26.  f John  x.  30.  J John  x.  15. 

6 John  xiv.  6.  |J  John  xi.  25. 


20  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


imputed  to  his  people  is  the  foie  meritorious 
caufe  of  their  j unification. — As  by  one  man’s 
difobedience  many  were  made  finners,  fo  by 
the  obedience  of  one  fhall  many  be  made  righ- 
teous.* He  “ who  knew  no  fin,  was  made  fin  for 
us,  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteoufnefs  of 
God  in  him.’T  He  is  the  Lord  our  Righ- 
teoufnefs. J 

Santtijication  flows  from  the  fame  opened 
fountain.  For  holinefs  believers  are  as  de- 
pendent upon  Christ  as  for  their  pardon 
and  right  to  eternal  life.  He  is  made  to  his 
people  fan&ification.  “ He  delivers  his  captives 
from  the  mighty  and  his  prey  from  the  terri- 
ble.” Deflroys  the  dominion  of  fin  in  them, 
and  begins,  carries  on  and  perfects  what  con- 
cerns the  reltoration  of  his  image  to  all  the 
redeemed. 

To  him  his  followers  owe  their  fafety  and 
perfeverance ; he  feeds  the  flock,  gathers  the 
lambs  with  his  arms,  and  none  can  pluck  them 
out  of  his  hand. 

His  counfel  guides,  his  arm  defends,  and  his 
prefence  cheers  and  animates  them  on  their 
way.  Strengthened  by  him,  they  run  and  are 
not  weary,  they  walk  and  faint  not. 

•?T  In 

* Rom.  v.  19.  f i Cor.  y.  21.  f Jcr.  xxiii.  6. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  21 


In  Death  they  are  comforted  by  his  rod  and 
ftaff.  To  him  they  commit  their  departing 
(pints.*  They  enter  into  his  peace,  they  reft  in 
their  beds  of  duft. + And  dying  in  him,  their 
death  is  blefted.J 

His  voice  will  burft  the  tombs  and  raife  the 
dead.  All  who  are  in  their  graves  {hall  hear 
and  come  forth.  The  Redeemer  of  Abraham, 
and  of  the  children  of  Abraham,  is  the  Sa- 
viour alfo  of  the  body.  Becaufe  he  lives  they 
fhall  live*alfo.§ 

From  his  mouth  the  fentcnce  {hall  proceed 
which  abfolves  from  guilt  and  welcomes  to 
the  manfions  he  has  prepared.  And  it  is  he 
who  is  to  prefent  the  redeemed  family,  wafti- 
ed  in  his  own  blood  and  freed  from  fin  and 
forrow,  to  be  fatiated  with  the  full  fruition 
of  the  love  of  God  the  Father,  with  the 
uninterrupted  participation  of  the  grace  of 
God  the  Son,  and  the  continued  communion 
of  God  the  Holy  Ghoft. 

In  all  the  benefits  of  the  covenant  of  grace, 
in  all  the  bleflings  conferred  upon  thofe  who  are 
faved,  either  in  this  life  or  hereafter,  Christ 
is  all  and  in  all.  He  has  procured  them.  He 

beftows 

* Atfs  vii.  59.  Pfal.  xxxi.  5.  f Ifai.  Ivii.  2. 

+ Rev.  xiv.  13.  § John  xiv.  19. 


22  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


bellows  them.  From  him  and  through  him 
they  are  all  derived. 

The  Duties  to  which  revealed  religion 
binds,  are  equally  related  to  the  adorable  Sa- 
viour. 

Faith,  in  its  firft  appropriating  a£l,  has  an 
immediate  refpeft  to  him,  and  it  continues  to 
honour  him  in  the  whole  fubfequent  life  of  the 
believer.  “ I live,”  fays  the  Apoftle,  expref- 
fing  the  experience  of  himfelf  and  of  all  the 
children  of  God;  “ I live,  yet  not  I,  but 
Christ  liveth  in  me;  and  the  life  which  I 
now  live  in  the  flefh,  I live  by  the  faith  of  the 
Son  of  God,  who  loved  me  and  gave  himfelf 
for  me.”* — In  repentance , the  contrite  and  bro- 
ken in  heart  look  unto  him  whom  they  have 
pierced  and  mourn. t — Hope  refts  upon  his 
word,  with  a firm  perfuafion  that  he  is  able  to 
keep  what  is  committed  unto  him  againfl  that 
day.J — We  love  him  becaufe  he  firft  loved  us.§ 
His  love  conftrains  to  affeflionate  returns ; 
and  fo  effential  are  thefe,  that  all  who  love  not 
the  Lord  ]esus  Christ  are  ftigmatized 
with  an  anathema — maranatha.[J — In  every  aft 
of  worjhip,  in  prayer,  in  praife,  in  celebrating 
the  ordinances,  ft  ill  the  Redeemer  is  acknow- 
ledged. In  his  name  addrelles  are  prefented  to 

the 

* Gal.  Ii.  20.  f Zach.  xil.  io.  f 2 Tim.  i.  12. 

§ i John  iv.  19.  ||  J Cor.  xvi.  22. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  23 


the  throne ; through  him  believers  draw  near ; 
baptifm  and  the  fupper  arc  the  figns  and  feals 
of  what  he  has  accomplifhcd.  In  all  he  is  cx- 
prefsly  remembered. — “ Whatfoever  his  people 
do  in  word  or  in  deed,  they  do  all  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  giving  thanks  to 
God  and  the  Father  by  him.’’*  “ As  the  branch 
cannot  bear  fruit  without  the  vine,  no  more 
can  they  without  him.”+  By  adhering  to  him, 
depending  upon  him,  and  deriving  flrength 
from  him  they  become  fruitful.  “ Without  him 
they  can  do  nothing. 

Is  it  not  evident,  that  in  pra&ice,  as  well  as 
in  theory,  all  religion  centres  in  Christ? — 
that  he  is  the  foundation  of  the  whole  ? — that 
the  benefits  proceed  from  him  ? — and  that  eve- 
ry duty  has  a regard  to  him,  is  accepted  for  his 
fake,  and  performed  by  flrength  derived  from 
him? — In  the  religion  of  finners  Christ  is 
all  and  in  all. 

How  little  do  infidels  know  of  the  founda- 
tion and  properties  of  that  very  religion  in 
which  they  profefs  to  truft,  and  how  much  lefs 
of  that  which  they  oppofe ! how  ignorant  are 
they  of  the  Saviour,  who  deny  his  divinity  and 
atonement ! W ith  a profeffed  fubmiffion  to  re- 
velation, and  various  modifications,  the  Soci- 
nian  fyftem  flill  remains  the  religion  of  nature. 

— Over 

* Colof.  iii.  1 7.  f John  xv.  4.  f John  xv.  5. 


24  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


— >Over  this  fame  ftone  of  {tumbling  all  un- 
converted men,  however  found  their  profefiion 
of  the  truth  may  be,  are  actually  falling. 
Strangers  to  the  new  relation,  to  the  only 
foundation  which  God  has  laid,  they  (till  reft 
upon  the  old  balls.  This  is  all,  by  nature, 
they  can  know. 

III.  Christ  is  all  and  in  all  in  Provi- 
dence. 

The  whole  adminijlration  of  providence  is  in 
his  hand — he  is  alfo  the  End  to  which  its  move- 
ments are  fubfervient,  and  in  which  all  the  feries 
of  events  will  finally  terminate.  In  both  thefe 
refpefts  Christ  is  all  and  in  all. 

l.  He  is  inverted  with  the  a£lual  adminijlra- 
tion  of  providence. 

Christ,  the  eflential  Word,  “ was  in  the 
beginning  with  God,  and  was  God.  All 
things  were  made  by  him.”*  “ All  that  are  in 
heaven  and  that  are  in  earth,  vifible  and  invifi- 
ble,  whether  they  be  thrones,  dominions  or 
powers,  all  things  were  created  by  him  and  for 
him.”+  AsS  he  is  before  all  things,  fo  “ by  him 
all  things  confift.”  He  is  the  glorious  dif- 
penfer  of  providence,  die  foie  ruler  and  go- 
vernor of  the  world.  “ The  father  judgeth  no 

, • man, 

* John  i.  i,  3.  f Colof.  i.  16,  17. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  25 

rmn,  but  hath  committed  all  judgment  unto 
the  Son,  that  all  men  may  honour  the  Son, 
even  as  they  honour  the  Father.” — He  is  the 
kin^  of  nations  in  the  molt  extenfive  fenfe,  as 
it  refpc£ls  the  divine  prefervation,  co-operation 
and  government.  And  he  is  the  king  of  faints, 
and  head  of  his  Church,  in  confequence  of  a 
more  intimate  and  fpecial  relation  which  fub- 
fifts  between  him  and  the  redeemed  family. 
Of  the  kingdom  of  nature  and  the  kingdom  of 
grace  Ch,r  i st  has  the  foie  direttion.  In  the  ac- 
tual adminiftration  of  both  he  is  all  and  in  all. 

With  regard  to  the  former,  it  is  faid  of  him 
— ■“  a king  fliall  reign  and  profper,  and  fhall 
execute  judgment  and  juftice  in  the  earth”* — 
“ The  Lord  reigneth’T — “ Thy  throne  of 
God  is  forever:  a feeptre  of  righteoufnefs  is 
the  feeptre  of  thy  kingdom.”^ — As  in  the  be- 
ginning he  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth, 
and  the  heavens  were  the  work  of  his  hands,  fo 
to  him  the  government  of  the  whole  is  com- 
mitted. He  employs  them  as  inflruments  to 
fulfil  his  pleafure,  and  when  his  work  is  ac- 
complilhed,  he  fhall  fold  them  up  as  a veflure, 
and  they  fhall  be  changed.  But  he  remains 
the  fame  and  his  years  fhall  not  fail. 

The  mediatorial  kingdom  of  Christ  is  dif- 
tindf  from  that  eternal  dominion  over  all  worlds 
D which 

* Jer.  xxiii.  5.  \ Pfal.  xciii.  I.  J Heb.  i.  8. 


2 6 THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


which  appertains  to  him  as  God.  It  is  a 
kingdom  peculiar  to  the  new  relation  which 
redemption  has  formed,  and  is  difpenfed  in  the 
moft  perfeCt  harmony  with  the  other. — It  has 
pleafed  the  Father  and  the  Son  and  the  Holy 
Ghod,  that  in  Christ  all  fulnefs  fhould 
dwell.*  And  becaufe  he  humbled  himfelf  and 
became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of 
the  crofs.  God  hath  alfo  highly  exalted  him, 
and  given  him  a name  which  is  above  every 
name,  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee 
fhould  bow,  of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in 
earth,  and  things  under  the  earth,  and  that  eve- 
ry tongue  fhould  confefs  that  Jesus  Christ 
is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.f 
- The  Father  loveth  the  Son  and  hath  given  all 
things  into  his  hands.J  All  power  is  given 
unto  him  in  heaven  and  in  earth.§ 

The  union  of  two  natures  in  Christ,  ren- 
ders the  independent  and  the  delegated  power 
perfectly  confident.  Nothing  contradictory  or 
improper  is  implied  in  committing  the  twofold 
adminidration  to  the  fame  hand. — What  is  pe- 
culiar to  either  nature,  is  always  in  feripture  af- 
cribed  to  the  whole  perfon  of  the  Redeemer. 
To  inculcate  the  mydery  of  God  manifed  in 
the  dedi  more  forcibly,  things  are  frequently 
predicated,  with  the  mention  of  one  nature, 

which 

* Color,  i.  19.  t Phil.  ii.  8,  9,  10,  1 J.  J John  iii.  35. 

§ Matt,  xxviii.  18. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  27 

which  can  of  neceffity  be  applicable  only  to 
the  other.  Thus  God  is  faid  to  have  pur- 
chafed  the  Church  “ with  his  own  blood.”* 
And  thus,  it  was  no  robbery  in  Christ  to  be 
equal  with  God,  while  at  the  fame  time,  he 
was  a man,  a fervant,  made  under  the  law  and 
amenable  to  its  demands.  And  hence  alfo,  he 
may  polTefs  an  independent  and  divine  right 
to  the  government  of  providence,  and  yet  be 
cloathed  with  a delegated  authority  expxefsJy 
committed  to  him  as  mediator. 

The  origin,  nature,  and  dignity  of  this  king- 
dom which  Christ  adminifters,  maybe  luf- 
ficiently  gathered  from  the  terms  by  which  it  is 
diftinguifhed  in  feripture. 

It  is  called  the  kingdom  of  GW,+  bccaufc 
God  is  the  immediate  author  and  founder  of 
itj — God  himfelf  is  the  king — and  the  per- 
fections of  God  are  more  difplayed  in  this, 
than  in  all  his  other  works. 

It  is  called  the  kingdom  of  heaven becaufe 
it  is  great,  precious  and  excellent — more  fpi- 
ritual  under  the  New  Teflament  than  it  was 
under  the  Old — approaches  in  its  privileges 
and  benefits  as  near  to  the  worfhip  and  joys  of 
heaven,  as  it  can  on  earth  be  brought — and  fce- 
D 2 caufe 

* Adis  xx.  28.  f Pfa!.  xlv.  6.  Ifai.  Hi.  7.  Luke  xvii  zc* 

± Daniel  ii.  44.  Ffal,  cx.  1.  $ Matt.  iii.  2 


28  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


caufe  this  is  the  laft  difpenfation,  which  fhali 
change  the  ftate  of  grace  into  that  of  glory. 

It  is  declared  to  be  a kingdom  not  of  this 
world*  as — it  is  a fpiritual  kingdom  and  re-> 
fpefts  the  heart,  principles  as  well  as  conduct 
— is  not  propagated  by  external  violence,  but 
by  the  power  of  the  truth  and  an  appeal  to 
confcience — the  benefits  it  confers  are  of  a mo- 
ral nature  and  have  an  immediate  relation  to  a 
future  ftate — it  in  no  meafure  interferes  with 
the  governments . and  kingdoms  of  this  world, 
in  their  policy,  laws,  or  adminiftration-?— it  pof- 
feffes  no  earthly  luftre,  makes  no  ftiew  of  dia- 
dems and  purple,  and  is  dire6lly  oppofed  to 
the  carnal  expe&ation  of  the  Jews,  who  looked 
for  fplendour,  conqueft,  and  nniverfal  domi- 
nion over  all  other  nations. — It  promifes  no 
temporal  emoluments,  no  exemption  from  trou- 
bles, pains  or  Ioffes — it  affures  its  fubjetts  that 
in  this  world  they  (hall  have  tribulation,  while 
it  referves  for  them  a recompenfe  of  joy  and 
everlafting  reft,  beyond  the  graye. 

The  adminiflration  of  this  kingdom  com- 
menced, when  the  Saviour  was  firlt  promifed. 
From  the  beginning  he  has  had  the  charge 
both  of  the  world  and  oi  tire  church.  But,  af- 
ter his  refurre&ion  it  was  difplayed  in  a more 
illuftrious  and  fingular  manner.  Having  fi- 

nilhed 

* John  xviii.  36. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  a9 


nifhed  the  atonement  and  overcome,  the  man 
Christ  Jesus,  the  exalted  human  nature 
united  to  the  perfon  of  the  Son  of  God,  fat 
down  with  his  Father  upon  his  throne.* 
Agreeably  to  the  predi&ion : I have  let  my 
king  upon  my  holy  hill  of  Zion.t 

The  duration  of  his  dominion  is  unlimited. 
“ Of  the  increafe  of  his  government  and  peace, 
there  fhall  be  no  end/’J  His  name  lhall  en- 
dure for  ever.  His  name  fhall  be  continued 
as  long  as  the  fun,  “ he  fhall  reign  throughout 
all  generations, and  the  change  in  the  admi- 
niffration  at  the  clofe  of  the  difpenfation  of 
grace,  will  not  divert,  him  of  his  effential  ho- 
nours. 

The  kingdoms  of  the  earth,  every  empire 
and  nation  have  a date  fixed  for  their  rife,  con- 
tinuance and  diffolution.  But  this  kingdom  is 
founded  upon  a balls  which  defies  the  alfaults, 
and  foils  the  power  and  policy  of  all  its  ene- 
mies. Other  governments  have  parted  away, 
and  all  in  their  turn  fhall  fall,  but  this  will 
ftand,  and  with  increafing  glory  remain  for- 
ever.— Where  are  the  mighty  monarchies  of 
Aflyria  and  Chaldea  ? Where  the  vefliges  of 
the  rapid  vi&ories  of  Alexander,  or  the  fplen- 
did  triumphs  of  Caefar,  the  conquefts  of  Mace- 
donia, 

‘*'"Rev.  iii.  21.  f Pfal.  ii.  6.  j Ifai.  ix.  7. 

$ Pfal.  lxx^i.  17. 


3o  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER* 

donia,  or  the  domination  of  Rome  ? They  are 
all  gone.  They  are  vanilhed  like  the  empty 
vifions  of  the  night,  and  barely  flalk  in  hiflory, 
as  the  ghofls  of  fallen  empires.  Where  will  be 
the  pomp  and  power  of  emperors,  kings  and 
republican  rulers  who  now  defolate  the  world, 
with  wars,  revolutions  and  havock  ? like  their 
predeceflbrs,  they  will  foon  be  crumbled  to  the 
dull,  and  leave  not  a wreck  behind. — Cities 
once  celebrated  for  their  extent,  riches  and  po- 
pulation, are  razed,  and  the  remnant  of  their 
ruins  l'carcely  exhibit  a proof  of  their  former 
exiftence.  Babylon,  the  metropolis  of  the 
world,  the  glory  of  kingdoms,  the  queen  of 
cities,  is  fwept  by  the  befom  of  deftru&ion. 
Her  walls  and  turrets  which  lhadowed  the 
plains  of  Shinar,  her  gorgeous  palaces,  her 
lofty  hanging  gardens  and  fumptuous  terraces, 
are  all  demolilhcd.  It  is  only  known,  that  amidfl 
the  fens  and  marlhes,  dragons  now  howl  and 
fatyrs  dance,  where  Babylon  once  flood. — It 
is  not  fo  with  the  city  which  hath  foundations, 
whofe  maker  and  builder  is  God.  It  is  not 
fo  with  the  kingdom  whofe  government  is  ad- 
miniflered  by  the  bleffed  mediator.  This  fhall 
remain  and  furvive  all  the  fucceffive  empires 
and  cities  on  earth.  No  weapon  that  is  form- 
ed againfl  Zion  fhall  profper.*  God  is  in  the 
midfl  of  her,  flic  fhall  not  be  moved.t 

* The 

* Ifui.  liv.  17.  f Pfal.  xlvi.  5. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  3i 

The  extent  of  this  kingdom  will  correfpond 
with  its  dignity  and  duration.  It  is  a light 
thing  for  the  glorious  Redeemer  to  raife  up 
the  tribes  of  Jacob  only,  he  is  given  alfo  for  a 
light  to  the  Gentiles,  to  be  the  falvation  of 
God  unto  the  end  of  the  earth.*  All  Ifraei 
fhall  be  faved  and  the  fulnefs  of  the  Gentiles 
alfo  come  in.t  The  heathen  arc  given  to  him 
For  his  inheritance,  and  the  uttermofl  parts  of 
the  earth  for  his  poffeffion.J  He  fhall  have 
dominion  from  fea  to  fea,  and  from  the  river 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth. The  fmall  glean- 
ings from  the  multitude  of  finners  which  has 
hitherto  been  made  for  Christ,  cannot  com- 
port with  the  glorious  extent  intended  in  thefe 
promifes.  The  time  will  therefore  come,  when 
**  the  face  of  the  covering  caft  over  all  people, 
and  the  vail  that  is  fpread  over  all  nations  fhall 
be  deftroyed.”||  When  the  earth  fhall  be  full 
of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  as  the  waters 

O 

cover  the  fea.5 

t 

It  is  to  effeft  this  interefting  purpofe,  that 
Christ  the  Loud,  the  Saviour  reigns.  For 
this  the  government  is  in  his  hands.  Every 
event  is  under  his  controul.  In  the  admini- 
Itradon  of  providence,  he  is  all  and  in  all. 

2.  But  Christ  is  alfo  the  End  of  provi- 
dence. 

*■  Ifai.  xlix.  6.  f Rom.  xi.  25,  26.  J Pfal.  ii.  8. 

§ Pfal.  lxxii.  8,  ii.  ||  Ifai.  xxv.  7.  f Ifai.  xi.  9. 


32  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 

dence.  To  him  the  whole  difpenfation  has  an 
immediate  refpeft.  To  fulfil  the  divine  decree 
of  bringing  glory  to  the  Redeemer,  all  the 
vaft  feries  of  events  are  rendered  fubfervient, 
and  to  this  point,  in  all  their  intricate  move- 
ments the  wheels  are  forever  turning. 

The  world  is  eflablilhed  in  Christ  that  it 
cannot  be  moved.*  For  his  fake  it  is  fpared 
and  daily  bleffings  beftowed  even  upon  the  re- 
bellious ; the  world,  even  for  this,  has  caufe  to 
rejoice  that  the  Redeemer  reigneth.  But  it 
is  efpecially  a reafon  for  joy,  and  the  multitude 
of  ifies  may  be  glad,  that  the  whole  earth  will 
at  length  fubmit  to  Christ,  that  the  darkefl: 
corners  will  be  enlightened  by  the  Sun  of 
Righteoufnefs,  and  all  flefh  lhall  fee  the  glory 
of  the  Lord. 

The  event  is  determined.  From  the  rifing 
of  the  fun,  even  unto  the  going  down  of  the 
fame,  his  name  lhall  be  great  among  the  Gen- 
tiles.t  All  the  ends  of  the  world  lhall  remem- 
ber and  turn  unto  the  Lord  ; all  the  kindreds 
of  the  nations  lhall  worfhip  before  him.£  The 
kingdoms  of  this  world  lhall  become  the  king- 
doms of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ.^ — 
Heaven  and  earth  lhall  pafs  away,  but  thefe 
promifes  lhall  not  fail.  He  will  overturn, 

overturn, 

* Pfal  xciii.  i.  f Mai.  i.  it.  % Pfal.  xxii.  27. 

$ Rev.  xi.'  15. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  35 

overturn,  overturn,  until  he  come  whofe  right 
it  is,  and  he  will  give  it  him.”*  This  is  the 
great  fcope  and  end  of  providence,  and  fhali 
moft  afluredly  be  attained.  Infinite  wifdom 
will  employ  the  belt  means  for  producing  the 
belt  end,  and  almighty  power  enfure  fucccTs. 

The  different  Itagcs  through  which  the 
Church  inufl  pafs,  the  progrelfive  manner  in 
which  all  this  will  be  obtained,  are  indifputa- 
bly  marked  in  the  prophetic  vifion  which  Da- 
niel interpreted.f — “ A flone  was  cut  out 
without  hands,  which  fmote  the  image — and 
the  Hone  which  fmote  the  image  became  a 
great  mountain,  and  filled  the  whole  earth — in 
the  days  of  thefe  kings  fhali  the  God  of  hea- 
ven fet  up  a kingdom,  which  fhali  never  bo 
deftroyed,  and  the  kingdom  fhali  not  be  left  to 
other  people,  but  it  fhali  break  in  pieces  and 
confume  all  thefe  kingdoms,  and  it  fhali  Hand 
forever." 

Let  it  fuffice  to  remark  upon  this  celebrated 
prophecy  : that  the  Church,  the  vifible  king-, 
dom  of  Christ  in  the  world,  is  here  exhibited 
as  remaining  for  a feries  of  ages, — fmall  and 

circumscribed  in  its  limits moveable  and 

changing  its  place — fullering  and  expofed  to 
bufferings  and  infults.  A flate,  very  aptly  de- 
fignated  by  comparing  it  to  a flone.  But  a 
E feafost 

* Ezek.  xxi.  27.  f Daniel  ii.  34,  35,  44, 


34  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 

feafon  will  arrive,  when  it  Shall  triumph  over 
all  its  adverfaries,  extend  its  boundaries  and 
fpread  throughout  the  world.  Expreffed  in  the 
■prophetic  emblem,  by  a great  mountain  that 
(hall  fill  the  whole  earth. 

During  the  firlt  period,  (by  a learned  expo^ 
fitor*  called  the  kingdom  of  the  flonc)  the 
wicked  have  been  permitted  to  exert  their  ut- 
moft  efforts  of  malice  and  power  again!!  the 
anointed  King  of  Zion.  Enemies  from  with- 
out have  affaulted  the  Church  with  violent 
persecutions ; and  an  enemy  within,  more  for- 
midable from  his  Situation,  has  made  deeper 
thrufts,  corrupted  the  truth,  and  worn  out  the 
faints  with  cruel  oppreflion.  But,  when  thefe 
have  wafted  their  ftrength,  and  the  gates  of 
hell  oppofed  in  vain ; at  the  period  fixed  for 
the  difplay  of  the  Saviour’s  grace  and  glory  in 
the  world,  his  Church  will  Suddenly  affume  a 
new  form.  Her  mourning  be  turned  into  joy, 
her  widow’s  weed  exchanged  for  the  garment 
of  Salvation.  The  ftone  will  rapidly  grow  into 
a mountain.  The  kingdom  of  Christ  literally 
fill  the  whole  earth. — Thus  it  will  be  grateful- 
ly acknowledged  that  he  adminifters  the  go- 
vernment ; it  will  then  be  Seen  with  rapture, 
that  his  gloiy  is  the  end ; and  mankind  will  hail 
the  divine  Redeemer  as  alio,  all  and  in  all 
in  providence. 

. And 

* Jo  seth  Medf. — Regnum  hpldis — Regnum  wont  it. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  3$ 

And  now,  my  Brethren,  what  think  ye  of 
Christ  ? what  think  ye  of  him  who  is  the 
principal  fubjetf  of  the  bible,  the  only  bafis 
of  redemption,  the  adminiftrator  and  the  end 
of  every  difpenfation  ? is  he  not  the  chief 
among  ten  thoufand  and  altogether  lovely  ? is 
he  not  all  and  in  all — in  the  facred  feriptures 
— in  the  religion  of  finners — and  in  provi- 
dence  P and  ought  he  not  to  be  all  our  falva- 
tion  and  all  our  defire  ? Ihould  not  our  hearts 
glow  with  gratitude  while  we  contemplate  the 
amazing  work  ? Can  we  look  with  cold  indif- 
ference upon  what  infinite  wifdom  has  plan- 
ned, upon  what  love  pafling  knowledge  has 
accomplilhed  ? — Prejudiced  infidelity  may  pro- 
nounce the  gofpel  folly,  and  the  humble  mani- 
feftation  of  the  Messiah  prove  a Humbling 
block  to  his  ancient  people.  But  to  us  the 
fcandal  of  the  crofs  is  more  than  compenfated  by 
the  glory  which  fucceeded.  We  know  the  man 
of  forrows  is  now  exalted  “ on  the  right  hand 
of  the  throne  of  the  majefty  in  the  heavens.”* 
His  adverfaries  may  then  blafpheme,  and  the 
impious  fay,  “ we  will  not  have  this  man  to  rule 
over  us.”  But  we  with  cheerful  fubmifiion 
and  adoring  confidence,  reply — come  Lord 
Jesus — King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords — - 
thou  art  worthy  to  receive  glory  and  honour 
and  power — rule  thou  in  the  midft  of  thine 
E 2 enemies. 

* Heb.  viii.  1. 


36  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 

enemies.  Reign  in  our  hearts.”  Let  this  he 
our  firft  impreffion,  this  our  firft  fentiment. 

Diminutive  as  man  appears  when  compared 
with  the  univerfe,  and  lefs  than  nothing  when 
likened  unto  God  ; mean  as  a creature  in  the 
fcale  of  beings,  and  ftill  lefs  and  unworthy  as  a 
finner ; there  is  neverthelefs  no  ground  for  cavil 
againfl  the  infinite  price  at  which  falvalion  is 
obtained,  or  the  amazing  method  by  which  the 
work  is  accomplilhed.  An  immortal  foul  ca- 
pable of  receiving  the  divine  image,  of  know- 
ing, loving,  and  ferving  God  in  confummate 
blifs  forever,  is  not  a little  thing.  Millions  of 
fuch  are  not  beneath  the  notice  and  care  of  the 
Supreme. — Small  and  great  are  comparative 
terms.  No  part  of  the  moral  creation  is  in  it- 
felf  inconfiderable.  The  harmony  which  nTuft 
fublilt  in  the  divine  government,  the  connec- 
tion of  fyftems,  the  influence  of  worlds  upon 
worlds,  of  every  part  of  the  vaft  dominion  of 
God  upon  the  whole,  of  prefcnt  tranfa&ions 
upon  the  ages  of  eternity,  render  it  abfolutely 
impoflible  for  finite  minds  to  eftimate  what  is 
ftnall  or  great,  or  determine  upon  the  queftion 
of  propriety  and  right. — If  God  defigns  to 
magnify  his  love  and  difplay  the  riches  ot  his 
grace,  in  faving  even  the  leaft,  the  youngeft  ol 
the  family,  it  may  be  cxpe£ted,  that  in  the  plan 
and  accompli fliment,  it  will  be  worthy  of  him- 
felf.  No  flop  can  be  too  marvellous,  no  part 

of 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  37 


of  the  work  too  aflonifhing,  nor  need  it  offend 
the  highefl  intelligences  to  find  that,  in  be- 
coming a Redeemer,  he  performs  a new  work, 
and  affumes  the  very  nature  he  redeems  into  a 
perfonal  union  with  himfelf.  Nothing  is  too 
great  for  God.  The  ends  hereby  attained  may 
not  only  reach  the  redeemed,  but  in  their  blef- 
fed  confcquences  extend  to  the  whole  creation, 
and  produce  moft  glorious  and  falutary  effeCls 
to  all  eternity.  Whatever  it  may  be,  his 
thoughts  are  not  our  thoughts,  nor  are  our 
ways  his  ways.  Far  then  from  exclaiming, 
how  can  thefe  things  be  ? or  raifing  objections 
from  the  character  and  relative  infignificance  of 
man,  it  becomes  us  to  believe  and  adore.  The 
difficulty  of  reconciling  fuch  proceedings  in 
the  moral  government  to  our  views  and  expec- 
tations, ferves  rather  to  enhance  the  value  of 
this  great  falvation,  confirm  its  certainty,  and 
prompt  us  with  cheerfulnefs  to  fubmit  to  the 
glorious  gofpel  of  the  Lord  Jesits  Christ. 

* if  , I 

The  angels  of  God  worfhipped  him.*  At 
his  birth  they  fung  “ glory  to  God  in  the 
highefl during  his  humiliation  on  earth  they 
attended ; and  are  now,  through  all  their  fhin- 
ing  hierarchies,  fubjeCled  to  his  authority  and 
employed  by  him  to  minifler  to  the  heirs  of 
falvation.  He  is  their  Lord,  but  he  is  our 
Redeemer.  To  us  the  child  was  born.  To 

us 


* Heb.  i.  6. 


3s  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 

us  the  Son  was  given.  He  took  not  upon  him 
the  nature  of  angels,  but  the  feed  of  Abraham. 
He  came  to  fave  Tinners  of  mankind,  the  chief 
of  finners.  Let  finners  then,  let  the  chief  of 
finners  bow  before  him,  and  praife  God  their 
R edeemer.  Praife  him  for  his  unfpeakable 
gift.  Praife  him  for  becoming  man  and  fuffer- 
ing,  the  juft  for  the  unjuft.  Praife  him  for  en- 
tering within  the  vail,  as  their  forerunner  and 
intercelfor.  Praife  the  King  eternal,  immortal 
and  invifible,  exalted  far  above  all  principali- 
ties and  powers,  the  head  over  all  things  to  the 
Church.  Praife  ye  him  all  his  angels.  Praife 
ye  him  all  his  hofts.  Let  every  thing  that  hath 
breath  praife  the  Lord.  And  be  not  ye  filent 
who  have  tailed  that  he  is  gracious.  Let  the 
redeemed  efpecially  fay  fo,  “ and  the  children 
of  Zion  be  joyful  in  their  King.'’* 

2.  Are  the  Sacred  Scriptures  infpired  of 
God,  do  they  reveal  a Saviour,  are  they  able 
to  make  us  wife  unto  falvation,  why  then  are 
they  neglefted,  why  traduced  by  thofe  who  are 
within  the  reach  of  information  and  might  rea- 
dily obtain  convi£lion  of  their  origin  and  au- 
thority ? — It  is  not  the  want  of  evidence,  my 
brethren ; it  is  not  any  rational  obje&ion  that 
creates  this  averfion  or  ftimulatcs  to  oppofition. 
An  enmity  againft  God,  an  impatience  under 
conftraint,  a licentious  fpirit,  prompt  them  to 

rage 


* Phi.  cl. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  39 


rage  and  take  counfel  againft  the  Lord  and 
his  anointed.  Nothing,  that  can  be  deviled 
neccfTary  to  fupport  the  teflimony  of  Scripture, 
is  lacking.  But  the  precepts  are  too  fevere, 
the  dottrines  too  humbling,  and  the  Saviour 
too  holy,  to  meet  their  unfan&ified  approba- 
tion. They  hate  the  Author  and  wreak  their 
malice  upon  his  book.  Had  the  Bible  been 
only  a republication  of  the  religion  of  nature ; 
had  no  other  relation  but  that  of  Creator 
been  revealed,  the  fyllem  would  have  been 
more  acceptable,  the  refi fiance  lefs  ftrenuous. 
But  provoked  to  be  treated  as  finners,  enraged 
at  the  hand  that  brings  the  balm  to  heal  the 
wound«d,  they  fpurn  the  Redeemer,  and 
pour  contempt  upon  his  proffered  bleffings. 

v 

Know,  ye  profane,  ye  infidels  be  warned, 
that  to  rejett  revealed  religion  is  in  the  ifl'ue 
to  cafl  off  alfo  that  of  nature.  He  that  hates 
God  the  Redeemer  cannot  love  God  the 
Creator.  Deifm  verges  faft  upon  Atheifin. 
There  is  but  a flep  between  the  virulent  ene- 
my of  the  gofpel  and  the  wretch  who  defies 
the  Maker  of  heaven  and  earth. — Look  at  the 
philofophifls  of  the  prefent  age.  See  the  point 
at  which  they  aim,  the  goal  at  which  many  of 
them  are  arrived,  and  fhudder  at  the  fatal  con- 
fequences  that  await  your  infidelity.  Fly  from 
the  dreadful  precipice  upon  which  you  fland. 


4o  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


3.  Has  the  everlafting  God,  the  Lord,  the 
Creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth  become  a 
Redeemer  ? Has  he,  whom  the  heavens  and 
the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain,  conde- 
feended  indeed  to  dwell  on  the  earth  and  af- 
fume  our  nature  ? Has  the  blelfed  Emmanuel 
finifhed  a work,  too  great  for  men  or  angels  ? 
Did  he  come  to  fave  Tinners  ? Is  his  call  ex- 
prefsly  addreffed  to  them,  as  fuch  ? Is  he  able 
to  fave  to  the  uttermoft  ? And,  has  he  promif- 
ed  in  no  wife  to  caft  out  thofe  who  come  to 
him? — What  glad  tidings  of  great  joy!  With 
bended  knees  and  adoring  hearts,  pronounce 
him  welcome.  With  the  exulting  multitude 
exclaim : “ Blelfed  is  he  who  cometh  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord;  hofanna  in  the  higheft-  j| 
— But  let  the  external  homage  of  profehion,  be 
attended  with  the  fincere  dedication  of  the  foul ; 
or  in  a day  of  trial  your  hofannas  may  change 
into  blafphemies,  your  cry  oi  welcome  into  the 
horrid  Ihout  of  crucify  him,  crucify  him  ! 

Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 
thou  ihalt  be  faved.f  In  revealed  religion  faith 
is  elfential.  That  faith  which  refpedls  the  per- 
fon  of  the  Redeemer,  while  it  cordially  em- 
braces his  truths.  That  which  receives  Him  as 
offered  in  the  gofpel,  and  completes  an  union, 
which  is  the  foie  bafis  upon  which  the  imputa- 
tion of  his  meritorious  Rightcoulncfs  can  pro- 
ceed.— 

|]  Matt.  xxi.  9.  f Afts  xvi.  3T. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  41 

I 

«eed. — Reft  not  therefore  fatisfied  with  a name 
to  live:  your  benevolence,  temperance,  re£ti- 
tudc,  and  all  the  train  of  perfonal  and  public 
virtues,  which  endear  you  to  the  commu- 
nity, and  render  you  valuable  to  fociety,  will 
not  avail  to  procure  pardon  with  God,  or  pu- 
rify your  polluted  fouls.  It  is  the  blood  of 
Christ  alone  that  cleanfeth  from  all  fin.  He 
is  all  and  in  all  in  the  religion  of  linners.  Look 
then  unto  him  and  be  ye  laved. 

4.  Hath  the  Father  loved  the  Son  and  given 
all  things  into  his  hand  ? — his  people  love  the 
Son  alfo,  and  have  entrufled  him  with  their 
all.  His  fulnefs  is  their  fecurity ; his  power 
and  government  their  choice ; and  they  gladly 
crown  him  Lobd  and  King — behold  then,  be- 
lievers, the  glory  of  your  exalted  Head,  and 
whatever  others  do,  rejoice  ye  that  the  Lord 
the  Saviour  reigns.. 

Is  he  all  and  in  all  in  providence  ? Then 
what  you  have  committed  to  him  is  fafe.  Your 
life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  and  nothing 
fhall  feparate  you  from  his  love.  He  hath 
faid,  I will  never  leave  you  nor  forfake  you.* 
He  careth  for  yout — go  in  his  name.  Be  flrong 
in  his  flrength.  Be  faithful  unto  death,  and  he 
will  give  you  a crown  of  life. 

. F 

* Heb.  xiii.  5,  6_  f 1 Pet.  v.  7. 


I.s 


I 


42  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.' 

Is  he  all  and  in  all  in  providence  ? Then  his 
Church  is  fafe ; his  trembling  faints  may  filfi 
pend  their  anxiety  for  the  iffue  of  her  conflicts. 
What,  if  the  wicked  combine  and  (train  every 
nerve  to  undermine  the  City  of  God!  What, 
if  the  enemy  with  co!le£ied  (Length  and  in- 
creafed  fury  come  in  like  a flood!  There  is  a 
banner  ready  to  be  lifted  up,  which  has  waved  - 
in  triumph  over  former  foes,  and  will  again  be 
the  fignal  of  defence  and  victory.  The  ftone 
that  was  cut  out  without  hands  may  fuftain  in- 
numerable indignities  and  be  expofed  to  immi- 
nent dangers.  But  it  will  relift  every  (hock, 
and  affuredly  break  in  pieces  all  who  fall  upon 
it.  That  ftone  is  referved  to  become  a moun- 
tain. The  Redeemed  is  enthroned  in  power 
to  attain  this  very  end.  The  decree  is  paffed, 
and  the  zeal  of  the  Lord  of  hofts  will  fulfil 
his  promife. 

5.  Every  part  of  this  fubje£t  has  an  imme- 
diate refpeft  to  the  work  in  which  we  are  now 
engaged.  Had  the  Miftionary  Society  any 
temporal  purfuits  in  view ; did  the  profpe&s  of 
gain,  of  policy  or  ambition,  mingle  with  the 
motives  which  have  aft'ociated  us ; fomc  other 
topic  would  have  been  chofen  this  evening, 
and  arguments  of  a different  complexion,  de- 
rived from  other  fources,  claimed  your  atten- 
tion. But,  what  is  our  work,  what  our  objeft  ? 

Is  it  not  to  honour  the  divine  Redeemer — to 

make 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  43 

make  known  to  the  heathen  that  a Saviour 
reigns — to  extend  the  kingdom  of  righteoul- 
nefs,  peace  and  truth  to  idolatrous  lavages — 
and  change  the  habitations  of  ignorance  ^nd 
cruelty  into  enlightened  dwelling^  of  purity 
and  comfort  ? This  work,  like  the  kingdom  to 
which  it  appertains,  is  nor  of  this  world.  It 
partakes  of  nothing  that  is  cenfurahle ; oppofes 
no  interefl  but  that  of  hell ; and  is  entitled  to 
the  prayers  and  benedi&ions  of  all  who  aferibe 
glory  to  God,  or  cherilh  good  will  to  men. 

Acting  upon  fuch  principles,  and  with  the 
anfwer  of  a good  and  well  informed  coqfcience, 
wh#  inftrudhon,  in  regard  to  duty,  and  what 
encouragement  to  perfeverance,  need  now  be 
added  ? Hope  for  the  heathen,  the  certainty  of 
their  future  converfion,  and  the  obligation  up- 
on Clariftians  to  be  attive  and  zealous  in  pro- 
pagating the  gofpel,  have,  upon  a.  former  oc- 
cafion,  been  urged  with  fuch  llrengtb  of  ar- 
gument, and  enforced  with  fo  much  energy, 
that  the  impreffion  then  made  muft  be  indeli- 
ble. To  prefent  the  fame  obje£!s  again  to 
your  view,  would  anfwer  no  valuable  pur- 
pofe.  If  you  believe  indeed  that  Christ 
is  all  and  in  all,  your  hearts  have  burned 
within  you  while  contemplating  the  glory 
which  fucceeded  his  iufferings,  and  you  are 
ready  to  cry  out,  “ Let  the  heavens  rejoice, 
F 2 and 


4+  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 


and  let  the  earth  be  glad — fay  among  the  hea- 
then the  Lord  reigneth.* 

The  mailer  whom  you  ferve  is  worthy  of 
every  return  that  obedience  and  love  can  dic- 
tate. Your  moll  painful  labours,  perfevering 
indullry,  and  ftrenuous  exertions  to  promote 
his  gofpel,  are  infinitely  lefs  than  is  due  for  his 
diftinguilhing  grace. — The  falvation  you  llrivc 
to  promulgate  is  great  and  worthy  of  all  ac- 
ceptation. It  imparts  peace  and  confolation 
here ; it  enfures  perfe£tion  and  glory  hereafter. 
The  fouls  of  favages  are  immortal  and  precious 
as  your  own.  Their  elfential  interells  the  fame. 
— Every  fentiment  of  gratitude  to  your  Re- 
deemer and  of  benevolence  to  men — the  ob- 
ligation to  communicate  to  others  what  has 
been  freely  bellowed  upon  you,  and  the  ex- 
prefs  command  to  “ teach  all  nations,"  which 
is  Hill  unrepealed,  confpire  to  confirm  the  du- 
ty, fix  your  refolves,  and  animate  you  with 
courage  in  this  laudable  enterprife.  May  your 
labours  be  crowned  with  fuccefs,  and  the  wil- 
dernefs,  under  your  cultivation,  rejoice  and 
bloffom  as  the  rofe  ! 

The  promife  annexed  to  the  divine  com- 
mand fuggells  the  moll  ample  fupport.  The 
prcfcnce  of  the  Lord,  like  the  cloud  by  day 
and  pillar  of  fire  by  night,  will  prove  a guide, 

proteftion 

* Pfal.  xcvi.  10,  1 1. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  4j 


prote&ion  and  comfort  to  his  fcrvants.  If  he 
be  “ alway  with  them,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world,”  they  may  proceed  with  confidence  and 
anticipate  profperity.  While  fome  unite  their 
counfels,  others  can  boldly  go  forth  in  his  name. 
The  root  of  Jefle  will  Hand  for  an  enfign  of 
the  people.  To  it  fhall  the  Gentiles  feek,  and 
his  reft  Jfhall  be  glorious.* 

The  difpenfations  of  providence  in  connec- 
tion with  the  furc  word  of  prophecy,  juftly 
raife  our  expettations,  and  may  be  confidered  as 
unequivocal  tokens  of  fignal  fuccefs. — What- 
ever may  be  the  period  from  which  the  rife  of 
Antichrift  is  to  be  dated,  it  is  evident  his 
ufurpations  and  tyranny  are  drawing  to  a clofe. 
That  wicked  power  which  has  fo  long  refilled 
the  progrefs  of  the  gofpel,  but  which  for  fome 
time  has  been  gradually  confirming,  will  foon 
be  deftroyed  by  the  brightnefs  of  the  Re- 
deemer’s coming.  The  laft  ftruggles  of  the 
monfter  may  be  violent,  and  his  expiring  ago- 
nies protra&ed,  but  he  is  certainly  dying.  The 
weftern  and  eaftern  Antichrift,  which  with  their 
combined  influence,  are  perhaps  confidered  in 
feripture  as  one,  arofe  nearly  at  the  fame  time 
and  will  fall  together. 

The  vials  of  wrath  now  pouring  upon  thofe 
nations  which  gave  their  aid  and  fupport  to  the 

man 

* Ifai.  xxi.  i of 


46  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER, 

man  of  fin.  The  defolations  of  War,  the  revo- 
lutions, terrors  ancl  convulfions,  unrecorded 
before  in  hiftory,  announce  the  approach  of 
fome  period,  new  and  interefting.  The  Re- 
deemer is  fhaking  the  nations,  and  fyis  people 
hope,  it  is  to  prepare  the  way  for  his  coming. 
We  prefume  not  with  confidence  to  afcertain 
“ the  times  or  the  feafons  which  the  Father  hath 
put  in  his  own  power.’’*  But  as  we  know,  that, 
when  the  fig-tree  putteth  forth  leaves,  the  fum- 
mer  is  nigh ; fo  when  we  fee  ^11  tbefe  things, 
we  know  that  the  coming  of  the  fon  of  man  is 
near,  even  at  the  door.f 

Under  the  frown  of  infidelity,  and  in  defi- 
ance  of  that  infernal  power  which,  with  accu- 
mulated ftrength  and  fury,  is  making  havock 
of  the  churches,  the  fpirit  of  the  Lord  is 
poured  out  upon  them  as  waters  upon  the  dry 
ground,  and  they  unite  with  a cordiality  and 
come  forward  with  a zeal  before  unknown.  In 
the  Indies,  in  the  iflands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean, 
and  in  Africa,  the  precious  name  of  Jesus  is 
now  proclaimed  by  their  heralds.  Our  feeble 
efforts,  although  late,  have  not  been  difowncd 
by  our  Lord.  We  have  fucceeded  in  ob- 
taining one  mifiionary,  and  he  is  now  on  his 
way  to  a tribe  of  favages  upon  our  frontiers. 
The  Lord  dirc&  the  fteps  of  his  Tenant,  and 
render  this  beginning  of  our  labours  as  “ the 

handful 


* A As  i.  7.  f Matt.  xxiv.  30,  32,  33. 


THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER.  47 

handful  of  corn  upon  the  top  of  the  mountain, 
the  fruit  whereof  fhall  (hake  like  Lebanon  !”J 

Take,  my  brethren,  a deliberate  view  of  afl 
thefe  events.  Collect  them  in  a point,  and 
feel  the  encouragement  which  they  are  calcu- 
lated to  infpire.  Whatever  may  be  the  imme- 
diate confequencc  of  your  efforts,  it  will  be  ac- 
cepted of  the  Lord,  that  it  was  in  your  hearts 
to  build  him  an  houfe.  Whatever  may  be  the 
iffue  of  the  individual  or  joint  exertions  in  this 
good  work ; it  will  not  be  long  before  the 
morning  will  break,  and  with  its  rifing  luftre 
difpel  the  fhades  of  night.  Another  feafon  of 
refrefhing  is  at  hand.  Another  Pentecofl  will 
awaken  the  churches  and  amaze  the  world. 
The  cruel  conflift  which  muft  terminate  in 
killing  the  witneffes,  can  afFord  the  adverfary 
but  a fhort  triumph.  The  fpirit  of  life  from 
God  will  again  enter  into  them.  (Rev.  xi.  11.) 
Order  will  fpeedily  arife  out  of  confufion,  light 
fucceed  to  darknefs,  and  the  Redeemer  take 
to  himfelf  his  great  power  and  reign.  His 
breath  will  fhake  the  flain  multitudes,  and  na- 
tions be  born  in  a day.  The  Jews  are  ready 
to  hail  their  own  Messiah,  and  all  the  ends 
of  the  earth  will  fee  the  falvation  of  God. — 
Hear  the  decree  which  enfures  the  final  fuccefs 
of  the  gofpel  and  the  glory  of  the  Redeemer  : 
“ He  muft  reign  until  he  hath  put  all  enemies 

under 


J PfJ.  lxxii.  1 6. 


I 


48  THE  GLORY  OF  THE  REDEEMER. 

under  his  feet— then  cometh  the  end  when  he 
fhall  have  delivered  up  the  kingdom  to  God, 
even  the  Father—  that  God  may  be  all 
in  all”  Amen. 


